Assistive Technology
Children with disabilities sometimes need and are entitled
to special equipment and services to ensure that they have
access to a free and appropriate education (FAPE). Learn more
about equipment, funding, consultation and evaluation resources,
implementation strategies, best practices and other services
available.
Assistive technology includes both devices and services.
As defined in IDEA:
- an assistive technology device means any item, piece of
equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially
off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to
increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities
of a child with a disability. (34 CFR 300.5)
- an assistive technology service means any service that
directly assists a child with a disability in the selection,
acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.
(34 CFR 300.6)
During the IEP process, assistive technology must be considered
for every child and then provided by districts if required
in a child's IEP to access a free and appropriate public education
(FAPE).
For additional information regarding assistive technology,
please contact Special Education Services Division, Illinois
State Board of Education, at (217) 782-5589.
Infinite Potential Through Technology
(Infinitec)
The Illinois State Board of Education works closely with
the United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Chicago and its Infinitec
program. Infinitec, Inc. is the assistive technology program
of United Cerebral Palsy. It is the joint effort of the United
Cerebral Palsy Association of Greater Chicago and United Cerebral
Palsy Associations, Inc., Washington, D.C. Services provided
through Infinitec include information services, access to
assistive technology equipment, training and education programs,
and access to specialists.
Infinitec provides assistive technology information services
through three websites: www.infinitec.org,
www.infinitecdme.org,
and www.coalitionconnection.org.
Infinitec provides assistive technology equipment through
the Assistive Technology Exchange Network (ATEN). ATEN was
established in June, 1995 as a program of United Cerebral
Palsy of Greater Chicago in partnership with the Illinois
State Board of Education. The exchange network recycles computers
and other technology by collecting and refurbishing equipment
donated by corporations and individuals, then donating the
recycled equipment to public schools in Illinois free of charge.
The Assistive Technology Rental/Loan Library houses over
$2.5 million of assistive technology equipment and software
available to Infinitec Coalition members statewide. An additional
"light tech" library is available to all educational
professionals. (See www.infinitec.org
for additional information regarding ATEN and the Library.)
The Durable Medical Equipment website (www.infinitecdme.org)
offers people with temporary or permanent disabilities the
opportunity to search for and secure durable medical equipment
for free.
UCP/Infinitec also facilitates and manages five regional
coalitions of school districts. These five Infinitec Assistive
Technology Coalitions encompass nearly 450 school districts
and social service agencies throughout Illinois that have
voluntarily joined in a grass roots effort to address the
assistive technology needs of their students, consumers, staff,
families, and leaders. Each receives assistive technology
equipment, training, and information. The coalitions represent
over 850,000 students throughout the state of Illinois. (See
www.coalitionconnection.org
for additional information.)
Infinitec provides assistive technology training and education
through training seminars at its Infinitec centers in downtown
Chicago, Tinley Park, and Villa Park. These seminars support
professionals and caregivers in their work with assistive
technology. In addition to the calendar of seminars, Infinitec
develops and provides customized training programs based on
agency and customer requests. Examples of these programs include
the First Tech Touch program for parents of infants and toddlers
with disabilities and Infinitec Media Productions, which specializes
in video streaming, allowing teachers and related service
providers to view training and education programs presented
by national and state experts. Illinois teachers can earn
CPDU credits online via Infinitec's www.coalitionconnection.org
website.
UCP's Early Intervention Training program was selected as
the Illinois statewide vendor to provide the core training
for providers to receive initial credentialing. More information
is available at www.illinoiseitraining.org.
Additional Assistive Technology Training Opportunities
Illinois Assistive Technology Project (IATP)
1 West Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 100
Springfield, IL 62701
Phone/TTY: (800) 852-5110
Fax: (217) 522-8067
Web address: http://www.iltech.org
The Illinois Assistive Technology Project provides inservice
training and materials on a variety of topics related to assistive
technology. They provide training opportunities for consumers,
parents, educators, service providers, and others interested
in assistive technology devices, services, and issues. Some
common topics of assistive technology inservice training include:
Funding; Introduction to A.T.; No Tech, Low Tech, and High
Tech A.T. Strategies and Devices; Legal Issues; Your Rights
to A.T.; and other customized presentations.
Special Education Assistive Technology (SEAT) Center
at Illinois State University
Campus Box 5910, Fairchild Hall 324
Normal, IL 61790-5910
Phone: (309) 438-7811
Fax: (309) 438-2211
Web address: http://www.coe.ilstu.edu/seat
The SEAT Center at Illinois State University (ISU) primarily
focuses on teaching preservice and practicing professionals
the skills they need to meet the technology needs of people
with disabilities through practical, hands-on, performance-based
instruction. Instruction provided at the Center focuses on
developing competencies in assistive technology as well as
other types of technology (e.g., instructional technology,
adaptive equipment) that can improve the education and quality
of life of persons with special needs.
SEAT offers many services to both ISU and the Illinois Community.
Services offered at ISU include:
- Providing resources and support for integrating instruction
about assistive technology into the teacher education curriculum.
- Providing onsite access to equipment and staff expertise
for ISU students and faculty to learn about assistive technology.
- Providing direct instruction via classes and workshops
about assistive technology.
Services offered to the Illinois Community include:
- Providing customized workshops to individuals and groups
regarding topics such as assistive technology tools, assistive
technology consideration, and assistive technology implementation
and integration.
- Providing onsite access to the community to learn about
various assistive technology tools.
- Providing support to school districts to facilitate assistive
technology decision making.
- Providing program evaluations to districts regarding assistive
technology service delivery.
- Plus many more!
For more information about services and trainings, or to
schedule visits, please contact the SEAT Center at (309) 438-7811
or visit the website.
RIATT@NASDSE
1800 Diagonal Road, Suite 320
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: (888) 438-1938
Fax: (703) 519-3808
Web address: http://www.nasdse.org
The Research Institute for Assistive Technology and Training
(RIATT) merged with the National Association of State Directors
of Special Education (NASDSE) in 1997 to form RIATT@NASDSE.
The organization is dedicated to training professionals on
the use of assistive technology. There are 20 courses in assistive
and educational technology that are appropriate for any professional
working with individuals with disabilities. Instruction can
be either distance (online) or in workshops conducted at the
local level.
Participants can earn professional development units (PDUs),
Continuing Education Units (CEUs), or graduate and undergraduate
credit from universities throughout the country. Credit can
be earned through the following partnering universities:
- University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
- Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas
- College of Santa Fe, Santa Fe, New Mexico
- University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
- North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota
- Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York
- Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
- Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma
- University of Southern Florida, Tampa, Florida
Individuals interested in RIATT@NASDSE courses can obtain
additional information from their website.
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